Former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang faces extra bribery charge over Shenzhen penthouse
Ex-chief executive accused of corruption over redecoration of Shenzhen penthouse, in addition to two counts of misconduct in office
A year after his first court appearance, former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang Yam-kuen was on Tuesday slapped with a third charge over redecorating a three-storey rental penthouse in Shenzhen that he failed to disclose when he was chief executive.
The new charge under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, in addition to two counts of misconduct that Tsang is already facing, carries a maximum HK$500,000 fine and seven years in jail.
The case centres on his alleged dealings with Bill Wong Cho-bau, a major shareholder of then radio station Wave Media, and interior designer Barrie Ho Chow-lai, over the penthouse between 2010 and 2012.
The new charge alleges that Tsang accepted an advantage – namely, the refurbishment and redecoration of the penthouse – as “an inducement” or “reward” to perform an act as chief executive.
Tsang, 72, allegedly “approved in principle and formally granted” the applications by Wong’s company, later renamed DBC, for a digital broadcasting licence, the surrender of its AM radio licence, and the appointment of Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung as DBC director and board chairman.